face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

: within each other's sight or presence

met and talked face-to-face

a face-to-face consultation

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

came face-to-face with the problem

Synonyms

• personally

Examples of face-to-face in a Sentence

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Recent Examples on the Web

If something feels urgent, confirm through another app, call or face-to-face. —Anastasia Paruntseva, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025

Some progress appeared to be made when Russian and Ukrainian officials held their first face-to-face meeting since the invasion began back in mid-May. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 18 June 2025

He was physically shielded by Hudson from confronting Gibson face-to-face. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025

When the Angolan mediation failed, Doha stepped in, brokering a face-to-face meeting between Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi for the first time since February 2024. —Joshua Z. Walker, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace

Kids Definition

face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˌfās-tə-ˈfās

1

: within each other's close presence

met face-to-face

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

face-to-face with a crisis